Time slowed. Dizzy and deafened by the blasts still echoing around him, Daniel hit the center button on the DHD, opening the wormhole while simultaneously pushing off to turn and run back. Jack was lurching toward him, dragging a motionless Teal’c.

The trees beyond them were demolished. The air was filled with floating shards of bark and leaves; dirt and soil and wood anxious to settle to earth once again. Jack’s eyes tracked the glider as it wheeled around for another pass.

“Go!” he yelled.

Daniel searched through the haze. “Where’s Sam?”

Jack pivoted Daniel toward the gate. “Just go.”

Prompt 20: shade (Gen), Season 9/10-ish

Head to Toe

“I have never seen that particular shade before.” Teal’c eyed Cameron doubtfully.

“It’s all over you. Is that sunburn, or can you actually blush down to your feet?” Daniel asked.

“Could be paint,” Sam speculated.

Vala squealed. “Edible body paint?”

Cam groaned. His rescue had finally shown up, but not until he was stark naked and covered in (temporary, please, dear God) ceremonial skin dye. But still... rescue. Things could definitely be worse.

“Y’know, Mitchell, I’d heard about your aversion to pants. Nice to see you expanding your repertoire.”

Cam winced when he heard General O’Neill’s amused voice.

“Towel, please?”

Prompt 21: hike (Gen), ep tag to Legacy

Isolation (formerly titled Alone)

“I asked you politely to go away, Jack,” Daniel said wearily. “What can I say so that you’ll understand? Okay, let’s try: Take a hike.”

Jack shuffled his feet. Daniel had left for his apartment as soon as they confirmed that Teal’c was recovering from Machello’s bug. Jack showed up an hour later to find Daniel sitting silently on his couch, still pale from the drugs that had flooded his system for days, dispirited, tired... alone.

Teal’c had finally been approved to leave base. The four of them were out on Jack’s deck, following his ‘Welcome to Earth’ cookout, talking and watching the sun set, when Teal’c stiffened, suddenly alert.

“Teal’c?” Jack prompted.

“Do you not see them, O’Neill?”

“Them? What them?” he demanded, scanning the backyard for threats.

“Lights in the trees.”

Jack settled back, grinning. “Stand down. It’s just fireflies.”

“Fireflies?” Teal’c questioned.

Jack sipped his beer, while Carter and Daniel explain the geeky science bit to Teal’c, then raced around, laughing, trying to catch the tiny bugs.